Regulating attachment for electric lights.



C. SMITH.

PATENTED JUNE 18, 1907.

REGULATING ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS APPLICATION rum) JAN. 2, 190a.

12 niin CHETVVOOD SMITH, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

REGULATING ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1907.

Application filed January 2, 1903. Serial No. 137,482.

To aZZ whm m it may concern;

Be it known that I, Cnnrwooo SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVorcester, in the county of WVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a ne W and useful Regulating Attachment for Electric Lights, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of electric-lamps in which the light is furnished by a glower consisting of a filament of refractory material which is substantially a non conductor of electricity at ordinary temperatures, but which becomes capable of having a current of electricity pass through the same when heated to incandescence. The so-called Nernst lamp is an example of electric light of this kind.

The especial object of my present invention is to provide an improved regulating apparatus for lamps of this character, which will permit such lamps to be used in any desired position.

To these ends, this invention consists in adjustably counter balancing the circuitbreaker employed in the regulating apparatus, as hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connections of the parts of an electric lamp of theclass to which this invention relates; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the relation of the circuit breaker to the magnet when the lamp is to occupy a hanging down or normal position in which lamps of this class have ordinarily been employed; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts when the lamp is to be inverted to occupy an upright position; Fig. 4 shows the relation of the parts when the lamp is to extend horizontally from its support; and Fig. 5 illustrates a modification in the way of adjusting the counterweight.

In that class of electric-lamps to which this invention relates, the glowing filament of special material is located near one or more heating cylinders, .and a regulating apparatus is provided, by means of which, when the lamp is first thrown into circuit, the current will pass through the heaters and, on account of its non-conductivity at normal temperature, substantially no current will pass through the glower. The current passing through the heaters will generate sulficient heat to gradually heat the glower or filament of refractory material to incandescence. hen the glower reaches a certain critical temperature, its non-conductivity breaks down, so that the current will now pass through the glower and will maintain the same in a state of brilliant incandescence. As soon as the lamp is thus lighted, it is desirable that the circuit through the heaters should be broken. This is accomplished by a regulating apparatus comprising a circuitbreaking armature controlled by a magnet in circuit with the glower. In lamps of this class, the circuit-breaking armature consists of a swinging arm which is held in its normal or circuit closing position by gravity. On this account, electric lamps of this class have not been adapted for use except in pendent or hung-down position, and this has limited the locations in which the lamps of this class can be employed. To overcome this, it has been attempted to apply a spring for holding the circuit-breaking armature in its normal position, but this has been found to be undesirable, because the heat generated when the glower is being raised to a temperature of incandescence has been found to quickly destroy the temper of the spring, so as to render the same unreliable. To overcome this objection, I have provided a regulating apparatus in which the circuit-breaking armature is counter-balanced, the counter balance preferably being adjustable so that the lamp may be used not only either upright or inverted, but may also be used in horizontal or inclined positions.

Referring to the accompanying drawing for a detail description of an apparatus embodying my invention, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, A designates the glower or filament of refractory material.

B designates a heating cylinder which is located near the glower, and in practice two such heating cylinders are employed.

From the line wires C and D, one circuit passes through the glower A, the ballast resistance E, and the regulating magnet F. A second circuit passes through the heater B and the circuit-breaking armature G.

The circuit-breaking armature, as illustrated most clearly in Figs. 2 to 5, consists of a body portion 10 pivotally mounted at one end, and provided at its opposite end with a cross-pin 1 l engaging the contact posts 12.

\Vhen the lamp is supported in its ordinary position, the swinging arm 10 is held by, gravity in position to close the circuit between the contact posts '11. When a current is established through the regulating magnet, the armature is swung away from the contact posts.

In order to permit the lamp to be used in different positions, the swinging arm 10 is combined with a counter-weight, which is preferably adjustable. For this purpose, the armature is provided with one or more threaded sockets 13 for receiving the shank of a counter-weight, consisting of a ball 14 having a threaded shaft extending therefrom.

By providing one or more sockets for receiving the shaft of the counterweight 14, the'parts may be adjusted for adapting the lamp for use in different positions. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the parts are adapted for use in an inverted position, while in Fig. 4, the parts are adapted for use in horizontal position.

In some cases, instead of using different sockets for receiving the shaft of the counterweight, the counter-weight may be moved or shifted without changing its point of attachment. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the shaft or wire of the counter-weight may be made sufficiently flexible so that it may be bent or shifted without changing its socket to produce the desired counter-balancing effects.

I am aware that changes may be made in practicing my invention by those who are skilled in the art, without departing from the scope thereof as expressed in the claims. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the construction I have shown and described, but

That I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A cut-out comprising a magnet, an armature pivoted near one end, a counterbalance for the armature, and means whereby the counter-balance can be adjusted so that the center of gravity of the combined armature and counter-balance will be on a vertical line at the side of the magnet opposite the pivot of the armature, whereby the device may be used in positions in which. an armature provided with a counter-balance fixed on one side of the pivot, would. render the same inoperative.

2. A cut-out for an electric lamp having a heater circuit, said cut-out comprising a magnet, a pivoted armature adapted. to make and break the heater circuit, and adjustable means for counterbalancing the armature to make the circuit in either normal, inverted, or horizontal position, whereby the lamp may be operatively employed in all of such positions.

3. A cut-out comprising a magnet, an armature pivoted near one end and adapted to make and break a heater circuit, and a counter-balance for the armature, said armature having means whereby the counter-balance may be applied to it in several different positions so that it will balance the armature either in normal, inverted or horizontal position for permitting the device to be used in all of such positions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHETWOOD SMITH.

WVitnesses PHILIP V. SOUTHG-ATE, Louis W'. SOUTIIGATE. 

